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Is A Massage Good For Your Health?

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Massage: Get in touch with its many benefits Massage can be a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being. See if it's right for you. Massage is no longer available only through luxury spas and upscale health clubs. Today, massage therapy is offered in businesses, clinics, hospitals and even airports. If you've never tried massage, learn about its possible health benefits and what to expect during a massage therapy session. What is massage? Massage is a general term for pressing, rubbing and manipulating your skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Massage may range from light stroking to deep pressure. What is a Muscle? A band or bundle of fibrous tissue in a human or animal body that has the ability to contract, producing movement in or maintaining the position of parts of the body. What is a Tendon? A flexible but inelastic cord of strong fibrous collagen tissue attaching a muscle to a bone. the hamstring of a quadruped. What is a Ligament? A short band of tough, flexible, fibrous connective tissue that connects two bones or cartilages or holds together a joint. A membranous fold that supports an organ and keeps it in position. There are many different types of massage, including these common types: • Swedish massage. This is a gentle form of massage that uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping to help relax and energize you. • Deep massage. This massage technique uses slower, more-forceful strokes to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, commonly to help with muscle damage from injuries. • Sports massage. This is similar to Swedish massage, but it's geared toward people involved in sport activities to help prevent or treat injuries. • Trigger point massage. This massage focuses on areas of tight muscle fibers that can form in your muscles after injuries or overuse. Benefits of massage Massage is generally considered part of complementary and alternative medicine. It's increasingly being offered along with standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations. Studies of the benefits of massage demonstrate that it is an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain and muscle tension. While more research is needed to confirm the benefits of massage, some studies have found massage may also be helpful for: • Anxiety • Digestive disorders • Fibromyalgia • Headaches • Insomnia related to stress • Myofascial pain syndrome • Soft tissue strains or injuries • Sports injuries • Temporomandibular joint pain Beyond the benefits for specific conditions or diseases, some people enjoy massage because it often produces feelings of caring, comfort and connection. Despite its benefits, massage isn't meant as a replacement for regular medical care. Let your doctor know you're trying massage and be sure to follow any standard treatment plans you have. Risks of massage Most people can benefit from massage. However, massage may not be appropriate if you have: • Bleeding disorders or take blood-thinning medication • Burns or healing wounds • Deep vein thrombosis • Fractures • Severe osteoporosis • Severe thrombocytopenia Discuss the pros and cons of massage with your doctor, especially if you are pregnant or you have cancer or unexplained pain. Some forms of massage can leave you feeling a bit sore the next day. But massage shouldn't ordinarily be painful or uncomfortable. If any part of your massage doesn't feel right or is painful, speak up right away. Most serious problems come from too much pressure during massage. What you can expect during a massage You don't need any special preparation for massage. Before a massage therapy session starts, your massage therapist should ask you about any symptoms, your medical history and what you're hoping to get out of massage. Your massage therapist should explain the kind of massage and techniques he or she will use. In a typical massage therapy session, you undress or wear loose-fitting clothing. Undress only to the point that you're comfortable. You generally lie on a table and cover yourself with a sheet. You can also have a massage while sitting in a chair, fully clothed. Your massage therapist should perform an evaluation through touch to locate painful or tense areas and to determine how much pressure to apply. Depending on preference, your massage therapist may use oil or lotion to reduce friction on your skin. Tell your massage therapist if you might be allergic to any ingredients. A massage session may last from 10 to 90 minutes, depending on the type of massage and how much time you have. No matter what kind of massage you choose, you should feel calm and relaxed during and after your massage. If a massage therapist is pushing too hard, ask for lighter pressure. Occasionally you may have a sensitive spot in a muscle that feels like a knot. It's likely to be uncomfortable while your massage therapist works it out. But if it becomes painful, speak up. Finding a massage therapist Ask your doctor or someone else you trust for a recommendation. Most states regulate massage therapists through licensing, registration or certification requirements. Don't be afraid to ask a potential massage therapist such questions as: • Are you licensed, certified or registered? • What is your training and experience? • How many massage therapy sessions do you think I'll need? • What's the cost, and is it covered by health insurance? The take-home message about massage Brush aside any thoughts that massage is only a feel-good way to indulge or pamper yourself. To the contrary, massage can be a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being, whether you have a specific health condition or are just looking for another stress reliever. You can even learn how to do self-massage or how to engage in massage with a partner at home. Source: Mayo Clinic Staff Vibrational massage Vibration massage can be performed by a therapist or with an electronic device. In this massage stroke, the body part or muscle is shaken, using light to firm pressure. The shaking can be much more vigorous if an electronic device designed specifically for the purpose is utilized. Vibrational massage can be applied to any part of the body that can receive other massage strokes. Relaxation Vibration techniques usually come at the end of a massage session, and are used to further relax the client and stimulate the blood flow once more before the recipient gets off the massage table. The vibration movement both relaxes the underlying muscles and creates a body-wide sense of relaxation. Pain Relief The Ohio State University Medical Center recommends using vibration massage as a method of pain relief that doesn’t involve drugs. The vibrational massage helps relieve painful conditions by creating numbness in the afflicted area. Vibration can also help relax muscles surrounding the painful site, which can further reduce the pain. If you can’t apply vibration directly to the painful area, try using the technique above or below the injured area. Invigoration Vibration massage is also used to provide the recipient with a sense of invigoration. Vibrational massage when performed at the end of the session leaves clients feeling less groggy when they get off the table. Light vibration can be performed before a sporting event to stimulate the blood flow and leave the athlete feeling a sense of energy.

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